[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H51-H53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING MARK INGRAM ON WINNING THE 2009 HEISMAN TROPHY

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 970) congratulating Flint native, University of 
Alabama sophomore, and running back Mark Ingram on winning the 2009 
Heisman Trophy and honoring both his athletic and academic 
achievements.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 970

       Whereas Mark Ingram was raised in Flint, Michigan;
       Whereas Mark Ingram attended Grand Blanc Community High 
     School and Flint Southwestern Academy, where he distinguished 
     himself as a running back and cornerback;
       Whereas Mark Ingram was a 4-year starter in high school, 
     and rushed for 4,926 yards and 58 touchdowns in his final 2 
     seasons;
       Whereas, during his high school football career, Mark 
     Ingram was honored with the Saginaw Valley MVP Award, named 
     Area Player of the Year, and was an All-State selection;
       Whereas, in 2009, Mark Ingram led the University of Alabama 
     to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship and rushed 
     113 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in the championship game;
       Whereas, in 2009, Mark Ingram broke the University of 
     Alabama single-season rushing record with 1,542 yards, was 
     named the SEC offensive player of the year, scored 18 total 
     touchdowns, and finished the season with 322 receiving yards;
       Whereas, in 2009, Mark Ingram was named an All SEC First 
     Team Selection, a Walter Camp 1st team All-American, and an 
     American Football Coaches Association All-American;
       Whereas Mark Ingram is the first Heisman Trophy winner from 
     the University of Alabama;
       Whereas Mark Ingram is only the third sophomore in history 
     to win the Heisman Trophy;
       Whereas Mark Ingram has made the Dean's List at the 
     University of Alabama;
       Whereas Mark Ingram's Heisman win brings tremendous pride 
     to his hometown of Flint, Michigan;
       Whereas, December 12, 2009, has been declared Mark Ingram 
     Day in the City of Flint;
       Whereas the sport of football is an important national 
     pastime that helps foster teamwork, leadership skills, 
     sportsmanship, and camaraderie; and
       Whereas football can help build self-esteem and promote 
     exercise and a more active and healthy lifestyle: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     Flint native and running back Mark Ingram on winning the 2009 
     Heisman Trophy and honors both his athletic and academic 
     achievements.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Kildee) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
970 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 970, honoring Mark 
Ingram, 2009 Heisman Trophy winner and pride of my hometown, Flint, 
Michigan.
  Madam Speaker, with an unemployment rate of close to 30 percent, 
Flint has been going through some tough times. Our young people need a 
role model they can look up to, someone who can show them that through 
hard work and perseverance their dreams are within reach and that 
greatness can be achieved.
  Madam Speaker, Mark Ingram is that inspiration for our community. 
Since he began his football career in Grand Blanc Community High School 
and Flint Southwestern Academy where he was a 4-year starter and 
distinguished himself as a running back and a cornerback, he has 
continuously excelled.
  This season, Mark broke the University of Alabama single season 
rushing record with 1,542 yards, was named the Southeastern Conference 
offensive player of the year, scored 18 touchdowns and finished one 
season with 322 receiving yards. He led his team to the SEC 
championship, rushing for 113 yards and scoring three touchdowns in the 
championship game.

[[Page H52]]

  He is the first Heisman winner from the University of Alabama and 
only the third sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy. Just 
last Thursday, Mark led the Alabama Crimson Tide to the national 
championship and was named the game's offensive most valuable player.
  Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Mark is a dean's list student at 
the University of Alabama where he is pursuing a degree in 
communications.
  Madam Speaker, I introduced H. Res. 970 to congratulate Mark on all 
his remarkable achievements, and I am pleased to call Mark Ingram the 
pride of Flint. I urge immediate passage of this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I appreciate the gentleman from Flint here today, and I know the 
people of the State of Alabama appreciate having Mark Ingram in their 
State and going to school at the university. I rise today to support 
this House resolution, congratulating the Flint native Mark Ingram, 
University of Alabama sophomore and running back, on winning the 2009 
Heisman Trophy, honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.
  And that's important. The idea to award the most outstanding college 
football player was originally conceived by members of the Downtown 
Athletic Club who appointed a club trophy committee charged with 
conducting the first award presentation at the conclusion of the 1935 
football season. In 1936, following the death of John W. Heisman, the 
Downtown Athletic Club trophy renamed the award the Heisman award.
  On Saturday, December 12, 2009, University of Alabama student and 
running back Mark Ingram was elected as the 75th winner of the Heisman 
Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding college football player in the 
United States for 2009. This season, Mark rushed 249 times for 1,542 
yards with 15 touchdowns, while catching 30 passes for 322 yards, 
leading Alabama to an undefeated regular season and a number one 
national ranking.
  Mark was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year as well as the SEC 
Offensive Player of the Year, and his rushing total established a 
single season record at Alabama. Mark has been recognized as a superior 
college football player, but his team and coaches also deserve 
recognition. Ingram is the University of Alabama's first Heisman Trophy 
winner.
  The team's head coach, Nick Saban, and all Alabama fans share in 
Ingram's excitement. On January 7, led by Coach Saban, the University 
of Alabama football team enjoyed the perfect end to a perfect season, 
winning the BCS championship game against the University of Texas. Mark 
was recognized as offensive MVP of the national championship game, 
running 116 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
  Just 6 months ago, Mark was a new starting running back, not the 
household name that he is today. Watching Mark deliver his humble and 
heartfelt acceptance speech gave us all insight into this outstanding 
young man and student athlete that Mark truly is. His dedication to the 
team and school as well as his hard work is the reason he received this 
exceptional award.
  In his acceptance speech when he received the Heisman Trophy, he 
congratulated his offensive line, and I have a special connection 
there. I had a classmate from high school that I graduated with whose 
son was on the offensive line. I graduated with the young man's father. 
His mother is a friend of mine as well, and his family is a close 
friend of mine. His name is Barrett Jones. So we congratulate them. As 
any running back knows, that's why you win Heisman Trophies, because 
you have a great offensive line.
  People that I know that are close to the University of Alabama 
football program talk about what an outstanding young man Mark Ingram 
is. He is not just great on the football field, but he is great on the 
campus. He represents the university well, and he represents Flint, 
Michigan, well by not just by being a great running back but by being a 
great person.
  I extend my congratulations to Mark Ingram, to Head Coach Saban, to 
the players and the fans, to the University of Alabama; and I ask my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) 
such time as he may consume.
  Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, I commend Mark Ingram. The whole State of 
Alabama is very proud of Mark and Flint, Michigan. The State of 
Michigan I know is very proud of their native son, and they should be. 
I commend Congressman Kildee for bringing this resolution. The State of 
Michigan has overcome many challenges, and I think it's fitting that 
Mark Ingram comes from a State that has overcome so many challenges.
  I rise to recognize Mark Ingram as representing the citizens of 
Alabama. He is the first Heisman Trophy winner to ever win the award at 
the University of Alabama. Now, think about the University of Alabama, 
Bear Bryant, and the storied program at the university; yet he is the 
first recipient of the Heisman Trophy at the University of Alabama. 
Many names come to mind at the University of Alabama, many all-
Americans; yet he is the first to accomplish that. And as Congressman 
Kildee said, he did so in his sophomore year.
  A ``Sports Illustrated'' cover story called Mark ``the Pride of the 
Tide.'' He did set an Alabama single-season rushing record of over 
1,542 yards. He led the Nation with 38 runs of 10 yards or more, and he 
caught 30 passes in addition to that. When the game was on the line, 
Mark Ingram was at his best.
  What statistics don't measure and what Congressman Guthrie and what 
Congressman Kildee have properly emphasized is the person that Mark 
Ingram is. You know, in life, it's not so much your accomplishments on 
the field. It's what you do with that opportunity. It's what you do 
with that talent. And Mark's greatest asset is his spirit. He stands as 
an example for all young people of what can be achieved through hard 
work, through determination of overcoming adversity and putting others 
first.
  In his acceptance speech, he put others first. He recognized his four 
competitors. He talked about how much he enjoyed getting to meet them, 
what fine young men they were; and we know that that's true. We know of 
Tim Tebow. We know of all that Tim has done off the field. He is an 
inspiration to all of us with his values and his spiritual commitment.
  Prior to the Alabama-Texas game, Alabama fans who visited California 
had many conversations with the University of Texas fans. Both before 
the game, during the game, and after the game, the respect, the 
kindness, and the hospitality between those two teams and between their 
fans should be an example for all of us. There was such a spirit of 
friendliness. And Colt McCoy, many of us learned that he spends as much 
as 2 or 3 hours on certain days visiting children with terminal 
illnesses and with severe illnesses. What a fine young man. What a fine 
young man Tim Tebow is.
  Mark Ingram is a better person because of the challenges of those 
young men and their examples. I think he will be a better example for 
others. And how wonderful it is that our young people can look to 
people like Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy to be role models.
  I think the story that Mark has that is a little special is dealing 
with the family challenges. Mark has been a model of grace and loyalty. 
As a dean's list student, he has balanced his record on the football 
field with excellence in the classroom. He demonstrated his humility 
and his spirit of sportsmanship during his speech at the Heisman Trophy 
award ceremony. He thanked his teachers. He thanked his coaches. He 
thanked his teammates. And as I said earlier, he thanked his 
competitors and talked about what fine young men they were.
  So today I think we not only congratulate Mark Ingram, but we 
congratulate Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and college football for producing 
so many fine young men that are examples off the field as well as on 
the field. And college football is better because of Mark Ingram. It's 
better because of them. It's better because of people back in Flint, 
Michigan, the grandfather and mother and teachers who made Mark Ingram 
the person he is today. And he had the intelligence and the character 
to recognize them.
  Mark was the most valuable player of the national championship game. 
Not only was he that; he was a Heisman

[[Page H53]]

award winner, and he won the national championship. That is something 
that no other player has done, no other player in the history of 
college football. Matt Leinart of the University of Southern Cal was a 
Heisman Trophy winner, and he played for USC in the national 
championship game. However, he was not the most valuable player. As I 
said, the Alabama and Texas fans came together to support their teams, 
two storied programs. They were respectful of each other, and they are 
an example of the high plane that college athletes can reach.

                              {time}  1115

  The way that Mark Ingram has conducted himself and represented his 
team and the university is perhaps his greatest accomplishment. It is a 
source of pride for all supporters of Alabama football but also for 
Auburn supporters. I can tell you that we are all, in the State of 
Alabama and throughout the country, proud of Mark Ingram. From 
President Robert Witt to Coach Nick Saban to all citizens of the State.
  In conclusion, Madam Speaker, we congratulate Mark Ingram for his 
achievements for his hard work. And it did take hard work; it was not 
given to him. He has earned every accolade.
  Mr. KILDEE. First of all, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for recognizing the ability and the character of 
Mr. Ingram. We are very proud of him in Flint, Michigan, and we are so 
happy that Alabama can share our pride.
  I thank you for your kind words.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
another gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner).
  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I want to personally thank Mr. Kildee on 
behalf of Alabama fans all across the Nation for bringing this 
important resolution to the House floor today.
  Mark Ingram is an exceptional athlete. As my colleagues have noted, 
he won the Heisman Trophy for the first time in the history of the 
University of Alabama to bring this honor and distinction to our 
storied and beloved university. But Mark Ingram is also an outstanding 
young man. I know the people of Michigan, and especially the people of 
Flint, are proud of what he has accomplished. But people all across 
America, especially young people, as we look to so many athletes and 
actors and politicians who sometimes disappoint us, here you have a 
young man, 19 years old, who on the night that he received the highest 
athletic award that can be bestowed upon a college football player, 
stood with tears in his eyes and proudly thanked God, thanked his 
family, thanked even his teachers, the professors at the University of 
Alabama for helping to give him this opportunity. He thanked, as my 
friend from Kentucky said, the offensive line and the quarterback and 
the others who helped make this not just an individual award but a team 
award.
  As I think about my own children, my 14-year-old daughter, Lee, and 
my 11-year-old son, Robins, I like to know there are young role models 
like Mark Ingram out there for children all across America to be proud 
of and to look up to.
  Yes, Mark Ingram is a tremendous athlete. And as my colleagues have 
already noted, he has already set the single season rushing record at 
the University of Alabama, and when you think about the great names who 
have played running back--Johnny Musso, Shaun Alexander, and Bobby 
Humphrey--that is saying a lot. But Mark Ingram is also a dean's list 
student. My sister, Judy, is the provost at the University of Alabama, 
the chief academic officer, and she says that the faculty at the 
university look at Mark with awe at what he does not only on the 
athletic field but in the classroom as well. He is a dean's list 
student, and he is certainly setting the highest standard of any 
student at the University of Alabama.
  So it goes without saying, Madam Speaker, that we are all proud, the 
people of Michigan, the people of Alabama, and people all across this 
country, that a young man can come to the University of Alabama, 
someone who didn't even know if he would be starting at the running 
back position at the beginning of the year, and contribute to his team 
to win the 13th National Championship and the first ever Heisman 
Trophy.
  We are proud of Mark Ingram, and I thank the gentleman from Michigan 
and the gentleman from Kentucky for allowing all of us to pause for 
just a moment and say: We salute you, Mark, we are proud of you, and we 
know you have a great future in front of you.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bonner for his kind 
remarks.
  What is exciting to me is that Mark Ingram's family back in Flint is 
watching this live right now. Alabama is proud of him; Michigan is 
proud of him; and he makes this whole Nation proud of him. His depth of 
decency really sets an example for all of us.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to 
close.
  Mark Ingram was an outstanding young man to watch. I watched most of 
the games he played on television, and actually had a chance to see the 
BCS game myself. He just seemed like an outstanding person. And like I 
said, the people whom I know who are close to the program--my in-laws 
live in Alabama--said this couldn't have happened to a better person. 
He is a person who exudes leadership on the football field, and I was 
told he is not just somebody that you want to just cheer for, but 
somebody who you want to be around. That says a lot for him.
  I urge the passage of this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 970.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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